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The LG NeON R solar panels are LG’s most popular solar panel product, offering homeowners a wide range of benefits. With a streamlined aesthetic and high-performance elements, these solar panels are a worthwhile investment.
Our comprehensive LG NeON R solar panels review explores LG’s history, how the solar panels work, the cost, and how they compare with competitors. We also detail customer testimonials and expert reviews, so that you can benefit from multiple opinions when choosing the right solar panel system for you.
It’s important to note that LG no longer makes solar panels, however they are still selling the company’s remaining solar products. So, before you get your hands on the last few modules, read our LG NeON R solar panels review to find out if they are right for you.
About LG
LG was first formed in 1950 under the name GoldStar, and began life as an electronics company. In 1985, the company began to focus on solar power research and development, and created GoldStar’s first portable solar technology, the Solar Lantern, in 1988. After some success, the company started developing solar cell manufacturing technology.
In the early 1990s, GoldStar re-branded and became LG Electronics. The company further developed a range of high-quality electronic products and solar technology, including heaters which operated on solar heat and clock towers powered by photovoltaic (PV) systems.
During the early 2000s, LG developed its solar cell mass production by consolidating several solar research laboratories, and the company created its first solar panel in 2004. In 2008, LG Electronics integrated with the Solar Cell Research Team at LG Chemical First. After merging, LG invested in a 14-megawatt solar farm in South Korea to aid production.
Since LG started its solar mass production project, the company has been awarded the Intersolar Award on three occasions. Its solar products, including the LG NeON R, are some of the best solar panels available.
In June 2022, LG halted solar panel production and now only sells the remaining solar panels it has in stock, in addition to storing some modules for future warranty replacements. These solar panels are still available on the website.
Fast facts about LG NeON R solar panels
- Power range: 350 W–440 W
- Modular efficiency: 19.8%–22%
- Product warranty: 25 years
- Cost per panel: £250 to £400
- Cell technology: 60 to 66 N-type cells
- Weight: 18.5 kg
- Dimensions: L 1740 mm x W 1042 mm x H 40 mm
Key features
- Cost: From £3,500 for 14 panels excluding installation
- Panel type: Monocrystalline N-type Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) solar modules
- Busbars: 30
- Panel aesthetic: Black uniformed panels with no electrodes on the front
- Frame material: Anodised aluminium
- Performance: The low temperature coefficient enhances performance on a hot day
- Warranty: 25-year warranty with a minimum output of 92.5% in the 25th year
Upsides and downsides of LG NeON R solar panels
Before deciding on which solar panels to purchase, it is important to understand the pros and cons of each model. Here are the upsides and downsides of the LG NeON R that we found during our research.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Long-lasting design |
The panels are 45% more expensive than other brands |
|
Attractive roof aesthetics |
LG is no longer producing solar panels so there is less availability |
|
High output is excellent even for homes with limited space |
Customer support will only continue for a short time after LG’s closure |
How do LG NeON R solar panels work?
The NeON R model is LG’s highest quality solar panel system, with a maximum output of 440 W. The monocrystalline N-type panels also offer a modular efficiency rating of up to 22%, which is the percentage of sunlight that converts to electricity when it makes contact with the panel. This impressive performance is due to the high-quality Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) N-type cells. The IBC technology maintains high power and efficiency while eliminating the need for electrodes on the outer-facing side. This offers a sleek appearance, unlike solar panels with electrodes, as these tend to stick out and do not provide the best aesthetic.
The LG NeON R panels perform best on hot, sunny days, as they feature a low temperature coefficient, resulting in the panels producing more electricity when the temperature is increased. The panels are also designed with limited space in mind, offering more power generation per square metre compared to competitor’s panels.
Another standout selling point is the 25-year product and performance warranty. LG’s warranty promises that the panels will offer a minimum of 98% output in the first year and 92.5% in the final year. The warranty includes repair and replacement with new or reconditioned modules, which may differ in size, colour, and power. LG also covers labour costs up to £380 in the event that a panel needs fixing or replacing.
How much do LG NeON R solar panels cost?
Although more expensive than similarly top-rated solar panels from JA Solar, SunPower, and Project Solar, the LG NeON panels offer the greatest value for money thanks to their exceptional output. They are also cheaper than the SunPower Maxeon panels, while providing the highest maximum output of all of the panels.
| Product name | Output | Cost (per panel) |
|---|---|---|
|
LG NeON R |
350 W to 440 W |
From £250 |
|
JA Solar JAM60S20 |
370 W to 395 W |
From £100 |
|
SunPower Maxeon 3 |
355 W to 430 W |
From £350 |
|
Project Solar |
319 W to 415 W |
Prices available upon enquiry |
LG NeON R versus its competitors
Compared to three of its main competitors, the LG NeON R solar panels offer the best maximum output and one of the highest efficiency ratings.
| Product | Maximum output | Warranty | Power output at the end of warranty | Maximum efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LG NeON R |
440 W |
25 years |
92.50% |
22.10% |
|
JA Solar JAM60S20 |
395 W |
12 years |
83.10% |
21.20% |
|
SunPower Maxeon 3 |
430 W |
40 years |
92% |
22.70% |
|
Project Solar Evolution Elite |
415 W |
Lifetime |
85% |
21.70% |
Solar panel maintenance
According to LG, its solar panels are virtually maintenance-free, so they don’t require regular cleaning. In the event of soiling—dust, bird droppings, pollen, and more—LG recommends letting the rain wash it away. In the case of dry spells with no rain or stubborn dirt, you should consider calling a professional to clean your solar panels for you.
If you have some experience cleaning solar panels, you may want to maintain them yourself. However, you should avoid using detergents, abrasive brushes, and tap water. Instead, use deionised water with no mineral deposits and a non-abrasive brush.
When cleaning the panels, you should never stand on them and instead use a brush with a long handle. Wear the correct safety equipment, such as a helmet and gloves, and have someone on hand to hold the ladder. It’s also vital that you turn off your home’s electrical power supply before cleaning the panels for health and safety reasons—after all, you are dealing with a combination of electricity and water.
Once everything is clean and dry, you can switch the supply back on and test some electrical appliances to see if everything is working as it should be.
If you have no experience cleaning solar panels, you should hire a professional to clean your solar panels every six to 12 months. This will ensure your panels work as efficiently as possible.
What the experts say
Take a look at what the experts have to say about LG’s NeON R panels:
“The NeON R is LG Solar’s highest quality solar panel and includes their most efficient technology to date. Solar panels work best in strong sunlight but should the temperature of the panels reach a certain level, energy generation will be hampered. NeON R panels have been designed to maintain maximum performance even in hot temperatures. LG Solar are so confident in the NeON R modules that they come with a 25-year performance warranty that guarantees a power output of at least 88.4% at the end of the 25th year.” —Solar Guide
“The NeON R is the flagship of the LG range. With a maximum efficiency of 22.0%, the NeON R panels can generate up to 380W from a panel only slightly larger than a standard 60-cell panel. As explained above, this performance is due to the high-grade IBC N-type cells used. Naturally, the NeON R panels also come at a premium price, being around 45% more expensive than more common mono P-type panels. However, with the higher price comes ultrahigh build quality, long life, improved low light performance, very high efficiency, and extremely low degradation over the life of the panel.” —Clean Energy Reviews
“When nothing short of Elite module specifications are an essential requirement, the LG NeON R has proven to remain the pinnacle of the LG Solar range since 2017. Premium N-Type cells with no busbar obstruction through integrated back contact design, the LG NeON R is a dependable long-term energy harvesting investment.” —Solar Analytica
Customer reviews
LG has an excellent rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Solar Quotes. LG’s solar panels are praised for energy collection, lowering energy bills, and its excellent performance and product warranty.
Here are some standout comments from previous customers:
“[It’s] early days, however we are very impressed by how much energy collection the panels are achieving even on overcast days.” —Terry via Solar Quotes
“I was always attracted to the advantages of a more premium panel. As we live right across [from the] beach, its certification to level 6 against salt mist corrosion [compared] with alternatives made this choice easy. Although almost all panel brands come with a 25-year warranty, I would rather the panels perform through the warranty period rather than have to replace them under the warranty!” —Michael via Solar Quotes
“Overall, [I’m] very happy with the panel and inverter combination. No electricity bill since installation, and refund received at the end of each year from energy company. No problems so far.” —Kathryn via Solar Quotes
Our recommendation
The LG NeON R solar panels are ideal for homeowners looking for high performance panels that not only provide excellent output but are also aesthetically pleasing. The lack of electrodes on the front side of the panels provides a uniform appearance that fits perfectly with any roof.
While the price is 45% higher than most competitors, we believe the extra cost is worthwhile, as the panels offer unrivalled efficiency and proven investment returns. Also, as LG is no longer producing solar panels, you may be able to benefit from a reduced price as there are a limited number of products left.
The 25-year warranty is also a great selling point, as it offers long-term coverage. LG also promises a minimum power output of 92.5% at the 25-year mark, which is one of the highest performance degradation ratings on the market.
How we chose the best solar panels in the UK
We conducted thorough research and compared some of the top-rated solar panels UK suppliers to help us offer an honest and informative LG NeON R solar panels review. To do this, we looked at costs, product quality, warranty terms, customer reviews, and expert opinions. This enabled us to develop our own view of LG’s solar panels system.
Frequently asked questions about solar panels
How do solar panels work?
Most residential solar panel systems utilise something called the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels are constructed of cells made with semiconducting materials such as silicon. When light hits the cells, photons in the electromagnetic radiation from the sun heat them up, which causes electrons to start moving. This movement creates an electric current, which is then captured by plates and wires within the solar panel in the form of a direct current (DC) electrical charge. An inverter connected to the solar panels converts the DC into alternating current (AC), which can then be used to power all of the electric appliances in your house.
Are solar panels worth it?
In short, yes—solar panels can be a worthwhile investment thanks to a number of factors, including a decrease in cost over the last decade, the savings that can be made on rapidly rising energy bills, income from excess electricity sold back to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee, and advancements in solar panel technology that have made them more efficient using less space. Read our guide about whether solar panels are worth it here.
Do solar panels work in the UK?
While the amount of electricity that can be produced by solar panels varies in different parts of the UK—a system in the south of England will typically be more efficient than a system in Scotland, for instance—they do work well across the nation. It is said that if you can see outside without artificial light, your solar panels are working. This is because they do not need direct sunlight to work. This means solar panels work even in the rain, on cloudy days, and during the winter when it is snowing—all typical weather conditions seen throughout the UK.